The credential lifecycle describes the full journey of a verifiable digital credential, from issuance, through use and ongoing management, to expiration or revocation. Managing this lifecycle correctly is essential to building digital identity systems that remain trustworthy, secure, and privacy-preserving over time.
How are digital credentials issued?
The lifecycle begins with issuance. A trusted issuer, such as a DMV, university, or government agency, verifies an individual’s identity and eligibility, then issues a cryptographically signed credential to the holder’s digital wallet. The rigor of this step determines the assurance level of the credential and the confidence verifiers can place in it.
How are credentials presented and verified?
Once issued, a credential is presented and verified. Holders use their wallet to present the credential when needed, such as proving age, residency, or eligibility for services. Verifiers confirm the credential’s authenticity by checking its digital signature and, when required, its current status. This process can happen without storing personal data or directly contacting the issuer, supporting privacy and scalability.
How are credentials managed over time?
Over time, credentials require ongoing management. Information may change, credentials may need to be renewed, or privileges may be suspended. Revocation mechanisms allow issuers to invalidate credentials that are no longer trustworthy, while status checks let verifiers confirm validity at the moment of use.
What happens when a credential expires or is revoked?
Eventually, credentials reach end-of-life. A credential may expire naturally, be replaced by a newer version, or be permanently revoked. Strong lifecycle management ensures outdated or compromised credentials cannot be reused, while avoiding unnecessary tracking or centralized data collection.
Why does the credential lifecycle matter?
Together, these stages ensure digital credentials remain accurate, secure, and reliable throughout their lifetime, supporting long-term trust between issuers, holders, and verifiers.
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